LE THI THUY1, NGUYEN DANG VANG1, HOANG KIM GIAO21National Institute of Animal Husbandry (NIAH), Animal Genetic Diversity and Conservation, Vietnam2Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam
Vietnam is one of 15 countries in the world richest in genetic resources covering of an area of 330,000km2. Vietnam fauna is known of 275 species and sub-species of animals, 1,026 species and sub-species of birds, 260 species of reptiles, 32 species of ambiphious, 500 fresh water fishes, about 2,000 sea water fishes, and dozens of thousands of non-spine fauna. Endemic Vietnamese fauna are numerous, including dozens of mammals, 10 species of birds, 60 fishes, etc. Vietnam is considered as one of the world ancient animal domestication area. The husbandry animals here include 12 species: pig, cattle, goat, sheep, sika deer, samba deer, rabbit, chicken, duck, muscovy-duck, geese and pigeon. They generally maintain adapting characteristics to the living environment. But many of the local breeds are facing extinction or endanger. The conservation duty focuses on protection and strengthening of production sustainability. The main issues are rehabilitate and maintain animal races that are in extinction risk, prevent races extinction; improve in-situ conservation in native areas, promote conservation through use; maintain in-vitro genetic materials of specially necessary races to avoid inbreeding. Approaches to conservation and sustainable utilisation of animal genetic resources from 2001-2010.

Raising community awareness of position and importance of animal biodiversity.